77 - The Butterfly Effect of the Chain Transfer Wave
The drinking session with Raiola had been incredibly fruitful. Afterward, heading to Parma for negotiations with Thuram, he finally wrapped up talks with club president Calisto.
"Alright, then we'll take Thuram for Kevin Phillips plus 17 million euros."
Parma had proposed 18 million for Phillips, while I countered with 23 million. Valuing Phillips at 20 million, we added 17 million on top—effectively sealing the deal for Liliane Thuram at 37 million.
"The 17 million euros in three installments, with 7 million of it..."
"Yeah, not from Blackburn's cash reserves, but via stock transfer from that 'Parma Azienda' you bought up."
It was a massive buy-in; the stocks wouldn't peak until 2002, but they'd already risen substantially enough for a tidy profit. Plus, the remaining shares could be sold at next year's high to cover the next season's transfer fees.
"You really wore me out, you know that?"
"But it was a good deal, right?"
"Go talk it over with Thuram."
The inter-club transfer was agreed. All that remained was negotiating with Liliane Thuram, still at Parma.
Thuram's agent, Oscar Di Domenico, had been in a foul mood ever since the Juventus plan fell through.
"4 million dollars salary on a 5-year contract, plus a house in Blackburn with at least two garages and four bedrooms, and additionally a villa anywhere in Greater Manchester—that shows Blackburn's sincerity."
"We'll accept the Blackburn mansion and the Greater Manchester villa. Contract term: 3+2 years, with automatic extension if he plays 30+ games in the third season."
"You're skipping the most important part: salary? Show the same sincerity as the transfer fee. My client insists on 4 million."
Cannavaro was estimated at 3.5 million, and Ferdinand—the priciest defender before Thuram—at around 3 million. What the hell?
"I was planning to start at 2.5 million, but you came in way too high. Highball tactics need to read the room."
"You know Juventus offered my client Thuram 37 million euros cash, right? They might pay more salary too."
"News travels slow. Juventus already shifted targets to Sol Campbell and Jaap Stam a while back."
"Where'd you hear that...? Want me to show you my call log with Juventus director Moggi from 30 minutes ago?"
As Oscar pulled out his phone, I opened my wallet and handed him a business card I'd received.
"Then I'll show you the card from the guy who told me."
"...!"
"Did you really talk to Moggi about Thuram? Or was it about your other clients, Shevchenko or Inzaghi?"
"..."
"I'll sweeten it: 2.6 million, plus Blackburn's parent company Daeyang Global sponsoring Thuram's charity foundation with 300,000 dollars annually during the contract."
"Meet us at base salary 2.75 million."
"Nope—that'd mean cutting the foundation sponsorship."
"..."
"You know player salary taxes differ from foundation donation taxes, right? What do you think Oscar's client will pick?"
"Hah, let me talk to Thuram first."
Agents always start high to secure their cut from salary and signing bonuses, but he'd overplayed it. Two days later, word came: Thuram accepted. He met in person, shook hands, and signed with flair.
The priciest defender ever was Rio Ferdinand at 26 million euros—but not anymore.
World record defender fee broken in one year: Liliane Thuram to Blackburn Rovers for 37 million euros.
Blackburn's insane! Luis Figo last year, Liliane Thuram this year.
At the unveiling, I posed with Heynckes and Thuram holding up the Blackburn kit.
"I agonized a lot between Nesta and Thuram."
"?"
Thuram glanced over during the unveiling interview as he heard me.
"Nesta's the world's best defender, but Thuram's the defender from outer space! No one in the EPL matches Thuram!"
I handed the mic to the bashful Thuram, and the event wrapped up in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Juventus scrambled to fill the defensive void left by Thuram's signing.
Arsenal offered 3 years, 2 million pounds signing bonus, 3.2 million salary.
"They're offering more! We'll top Arsenal for sure—can you proceed with Campbell negotiations?"
It was do-or-die; Juventus director Luciano Moggi clung desperately to Sol Campbell's agent, Andrew Scott.
Think it over. Problem is, Campbell's meeting Arsene Wenger tomorrow.
"Book a flight to Turin right now. Bill it all to me!"
This late? Hmm, that'll include night rates.
Andrew Scott smirked smugly, figuring Juventus would pay fatter commissions than Arsenal. 'Tottenham to Arsenal direct? Nah, Juventus is a bigger club than that Judas move.'
I'll try to persuade him.
Moggi ended the call and kicked the table in rage. "That damn Eastern bastard and Raiola ruined all our business!"
Fuming, he hurled whatever he could grab. Thuram failed, Nedved too.
'Hey Moggi, even my Chihuahua wouldn't sign this crap. Pavel's playing for Lazio this season too. Look elsewhere.'
Moggi vowed to make that pig Raiola drop dead if he ever crossed paths. "Boss, boss!"
"What?"
Technical director Angelo rushed in, reporting amid the trashed office.
"Milan officially bid 42 million euros on Rui Costa. Negotiating with Fiorentina now."
"Counter with 43 million—say we'll top whatever Milan offers by 1 million euros."
"And for Thuram replacement..."
"Campbell's agent arrives tonight—get ready."
Somehow, Juventus's target black tall center-back shifted from French international Thuram to English international Campbell.
'At least Campbell's two years younger than Thuram... maybe for the best.'
"What are you waiting for? Call Milan now!"
"Yes, sir!"
Thus, post-Zidane sale, Juventus signed Buffon, Campbell, and Rui Costa that season. After a fierce bidding war with Milan, Rui Costa joined for 45 million euros.
AC Milan, robbed of Rui Costa, faced Berlusconi's fury as Galliani rushed Plan B.
AC Milan signs Hidetoshi Nakata from Roma for 31 million euros.
Berlusconi: 'Nakata's the Asian champion—Roma made a huge mistake.'
Galliani VP: 'Only race separates Nakata and Totti—Nakata will thrive at Milan.'
AC Milan signs Andrea Pirlo from rivals Inter for 17 million euros; eyes Juventus' Filippo Inzaghi for attack boost.
Milan, stung by Rui Costa to Juventus, bids 36 million euros on Juventus' Inzaghi.
Italy's transfer market buzzed feverishly.
London, Arsenal's office.
"Campbell went to Juventus?"
"My apologies. He swore he'd never leave London, so we got complacent in negotiations."
Transfer chief Richard Law had nothing to say, even with ten mouths. Campbell had secretly negotiated behind Tottenham's back six months from contract end—99.99% Arsenal-bound. But Juventus topped Arsenal's offer by 20%, snatching him and vaporizing their defensive reinforcement.
Wenger stared out the window, crestfallen.
"Arsene, truly sorry."
"No choice. I'll meet Peter the chairman and secure transfer funds."
"!"
"Free agent's gone—gotta spend. We can't splash 30-40 million on one player like Blackburn, United, or Leeds."
Wenger had eyed a Campbell alternative. On the desk newspaper he scanned daily, one defender's story stood out.
Jaap Stam falls out with Alex Ferguson—official transfer request.
Was it the autobiography fiasco? Stam crosses the Rubicon with Manchester United.
"Fergie, that guy..."
Arsene Wenger tsked, zeroing in on Jaap Stam's photo.
Jaap Stam: From PSV to United in '98, key Treble member and defensive rock. But this year, his autobiography exposed boss Alex Ferguson's dirt.
'Ferguson tapped players pre-transfer—lured me from PSV that way.'
Exposing England's taboo pre-contract contacts—especially Fergie's open secret. United's absolute boss Ferguson exploded at the tampering reveal, clearing Stam's locker out.
Wenger's new target: Stam.
Jaap Stam shocks to Arsenal for 26 million euros!
The World is Mad... 2001/2002 shaping up as the century's wildest transfer season.
"Transfer market's a riot."
I savored tea in the chairman's office, watching the chaos unfold.
Zidane to Real. Buffon, Campbell, Rui Costa to Juventus. Nakata, Inzaghi, Pirlo to AC Milan. Kevin Phillips to Parma. Jaap Stam to Arsenal. And Liliane Thuram, Van Bommel to Blackburn.
The reshaped market had me curious about other leagues' standings too.
"Got Van Bommel cheap."
PSV demanded 10 million for their 130+ game prospect, but 'Pushed out of national team by Seedorf, Davids—10 million? No way.' Haggled down to 7 million.
Still needed reinforcements. Scout Phillips replacements up front, and subs were thin—time for prospects. With 2-3 more signings ahead, an international call came.
From Daeyang Group HQ—and it sounded risky.